Public Bill Committee

[Mr. Roger Gale in the Chair]

Roger Gale: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Before we proceed, it is my duty to inform the Committee that on the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Tuesday 5 May 2009 the money resolution was approved, and therefore all matters pertaining to the Bill are now debatable.

Cheryl Gillan: On a point of order, Mr. Gale. I beg to move,
That further consideration of the Bill be now adjourned for a second time.
I feel that I should explain to you and the Committee, Mr. Gale, my reason for proposing the motion. We have some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that I again ask the Committees permission to adjourn, but the good news is that both Ministers sitting opposite me are currently in negotiations with me and others to see whether we can come up with a form of legislation that the Government feel able to accept. They have indicated to methe Health Minister is noddingthat they are willing to consider putting a Bill of this nature through to become an Act, provided that we can reach some agreement.
The Bill is of great importance to a large number of people and their families throughout the country, and I am very grateful for cross-party support, and to everyone on the Committee for turning out today. I hope that they will bear with us, because I hope to bring back, with the assistance of Ministers, something that we can all discuss again and that the Government may feel able to accept. That is possibly a worthwhile route to chart for the Bill, so I ask for further consideration to be adjourned until next Wednesday.

Roger Gale: I am prepared to accept the hon. Ladys motion.

Questionput and agreed to.

Adjourned till Wednesday 13 May at half-past Two oclock.